Exactly

 

My first car was my dad's hand me down 87 Bonneville, and I drove till it died on the highway, then I bought my first car ... a 99 GrandAM ... with my own money. The feeling is unbelievable, you feel soo incredibly proud, like you've really accomplished something on your own.

Then I ordered my Z just as I turned 23, and am now 24. Again, having bought the car on my own, I think, increases my pleasure in it that much more.

So yeah, I concur ... if you can afford it on your own, go for it. And also make sure you trust yourself enough and are responsible enough.

Insurance ... ugh, don't get me started on that. This is where the responsible enough part comes in ... I was stupid enough to get 5 tickets in a span of 11 months, and then Dec 27th, someone hit my Z, so it's still in the shop. My insurance is through the roof, hitting close to $1800 for 6 months.

I can afford the payments, and the insurance, so it's not that big of an issue ... but I've been seriously considering selling the car, waiting for my record to go clean and then get the car again

So ... yeah, go for it!

 

i am 18 and in a way i "earned" my way to get the car. my dad challenged me to become an eagle scout for bsa. as incentive he offered me a brand new car (sedan). after i got eagle he gave me another challenge - to score a 1300 on my sat or higher. if i did that, the he would buy me any car under 30k. i usually make 1100-1200 so it was quite a challenge, but i studied my *** off and made a 1310. i realize im really fortunate and i will take care of the car for 10+ years if it is still running.

back to the subject. age doesnt matter all that much as long as the driver knows how to handle the car and not drive recklessly. there is really nothing to prove to anyone except to yourself. self control with a powerful car is more important than how old you are.

 

i picked up my 350 in december. the car is very exciting and fun, haha u don't know how many chicks i can pick up with this baby.
i love my z.

 

As one of the older guys on this newsgroup, 54, I do have a couple of conflicting emotions about this subject.

Jealousy - Too bad you missed out on fixing a 57 Chevy evey couple of days (but it did have a huge backseat), having to drive a 62 Lark.

Pity - A 350Z before you start a family and are dragged down into Mini-van hell for 20 years. Go for it! I had a 72 240Z at the start.

Admiration - For the young folks that earn their way to Nirvana.

Foolish Pride - I love this car and the way it drives!

 

I think as long as you really appricaite/respect the car, and have the skill to dive a rear wheel drive, torquey car go for it.

I do think you appriciate things that you really earn. I have loved cars all my life. When I was I kid I would build model sports cars, draw them, had matchbox/hotwheels and so forth. My first car at age 18 was a sh*tty Hyundia Excell, but I loved it because I bought it with my own cash from baggin groceries. It was freedom.

Now I'm 25 and I have been saving for the past year to put together a down payment large enough so that I could afford the monthly payments on the z. Last Saturday I picked up my black base model, and I've been grining ear to ear all week.